Breast Implant

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a breast implant may include a shell including a posterior cephalic portion, a posterior caudal portion, an anterior cephalic portion, and an anterior caudal portion. Implementations of the breast implant may also include an anchor coupled within the shell and coupled directly and fixedly to the posterior caudal portion and the anterior caudal portion. The anchor may prevent rotation of the breast implant. The outer surface of the shell may be non-textured.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of the earlier U.S.Utility Patent Application to Malek entitled “Breast Implant,”application Ser. No. 17/450,803, filed Oct. 13, 2021, now pending, whichapplication claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 63/209,397, entitled “Breast Implant” to Marcel Malekwhich was filed on Jun. 11, 2021, the disclosures of each of which arehereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to breast implants. Morespecific implementations involve breast implants having an anatomicalshape.

2. Background

Breast implants are prosthesis used to change the shape and appearanceof a breast. Breast implants may be used in reconstructive or aestheticsurgeries for individuals following a mastectomy, to correct congenitaldefects or other deformities of the chest wall, or for cosmetic reasonsto enhance the appearance of a breast. Breast implants are filled with afluid medium.

SUMMARY

Implementations of a breast implant may include a shell including aposterior cephalic portion, a posterior caudal portion, an anteriorcephalic portion, and an anterior caudal portion. Implementations of thebreast implant may also include an anchor coupled within the shell andcoupled directly and fixedly to the posterior caudal portion and theanterior caudal portion. The anchor may prevent rotation of the breastimplant. The outer surface of the shell may be non-textured.

Implementations of the breast implant may include one, all, or any ofthe following:

The breast implant may include an anatomical shape.

The anchor may form a lip at the interface between the anterior caudalportion and the anterior cephalic portion.

The anchor may include a recess configured to be filled by a fluidwithin the breast implant.

The anchor may be directly and fixedly coupled to the posterior cephalicportion.

An entirety of an inner surface of the anterior caudal portion and theposterior caudal portion may be directly and fixedly coupled to theanchor.

The anchor and the shell may be continuously formed from a samematerial.

Implementations of a breast implant may include a shell including aposterior cephalic portion, a posterior caudal portion, an anteriorcephalic portion, and an anterior caudal portion. Implementations of thebreast implant may also include an anchor coupled within the shell andcoupled directly and fixedly to the posterior caudal portion and theanterior caudal portion. The anchor may provide a recess therein.Implementations of the breast implant may include a fluid included inthe recess and the shell. The anchor may prevent rotation of the breastimplant. The anchor may prevent flipping of the breast implant. Theouter surface of the shell may be non-textured. The breast implant mayinclude an anatomical shape. The fluid may be directly in contact withan entire inner surface of the anterior cephalic portion of the shell.

Implementations of the breast implant may include one, all, or any ofthe following:

The anchor may be configured to prevent buckling of the breast implant.

The anchor may form a lip at the interface between the anterior caudalportion and the anterior cephalic portion.

The anchor may extend around a perimeter of a posterior portion of theshell, wherein the posterior portion includes the posterior cephalicportion and the posterior caudal portion.

An entirety of an inner surface of the anterior caudal portion and theposterior caudal portion may be directly and fixedly coupled to theanchor.

The anchor may extend from a base of the posterior portion to a top ofthe posterior portion. The posterior portion may include the posteriorcephalic portion and the posterior caudal portion.

The anchor and the shell may be continuously formed from the samematerial.

Implementations of a breast implant may include a shell including aposterior portion and an anterior portion. The breast implant may alsoinclude an anchor coupled within the shell and coupled directly andfixedly to an entire interface on an inner surface of the shell betweenthe posterior portion and the anterior portion. The anchor may preventflipping of the breast implant. An outer surface of the shell may benon-textured.

Implementations of the breast implant may include one, all, or any ofthe following:

The breast implant may be a round implant.

The anchor may form a cross directly and fixedly coupled to the anteriorportion.

The anchor may be directly and fixedly coupled to an entire innersurface of the posterior portion.

The anchor may include a solid implant having a recess formed therein.The recess may be filled with a fluid medium.

The anchor and the shell may be continuously formed from a samematerial.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from theDESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view of a breast implant placed withina breast;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a breast implant illustrating the differentsections of the shell;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the breast implant of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the breast implant of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the breast implant of FIG. 1 with theshell illustrated as transparent;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the breast implant of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the breast implant of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of a second implementation of a breast implant;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of a third implementation of a breast implant;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of a fourth implementation of a breast implant;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of a fifth implementation of a breast implant;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a round breast implant;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the round breast implant ofFIG. 12 ;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the implant of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of a second implementation of a round implant;

FIG. 16 is a rear view of a third implementation of a round implant;

FIG. 17 is a rear view of a fourth implementation of a round implant;and

FIG. 18 is a rear view of a fifth implementation of a round implant.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components, assembly procedures or method elements disclosedherein. Many additional components, assembly procedures and/or methodelements known in the art consistent with the intended breast implantswill become apparent for use with particular implementations from thisdisclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particularimplementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementingcomponents may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version,measurement, concentration, material, quantity, method element, step,and/or the like as is known in the art for such breast implants, andimplementing components and methods, consistent with the intendedoperation and methods.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a cross-sectional side view of an implementationof a breast implant placed within a breast is illustrated. The breastimplant 2 includes a shell 4. The shell 4 of the breast implant includesa posterior portion 6. The posterior portion 6 forms the outer back wallof the breast implant configured to face the chest wall 18 of a userwhen the breast implant 2 is placed within a breast. In variousimplementations (and as illustrated by FIGS. 1-4 ), the outer back wallof the breast implant may be substantially flat. The shell also includesan anterior portion 8. The anterior portion 8 is configured to face awayfrom the chest wall 18 and towards the front 20 of the breast when thebreast implant is placed within a breast. The posterior portion 6includes a posterior cephalic portion 10 and a posterior caudal portion12. The anterior portion 8 includes an anterior cephalic portion 14 andan anterior caudal portion 16.

Words used to describe positions or locations of portions of the breastimplant used herein, such as, by non-limiting example, top, bottom,front, back, up, down, vertical, and horizontal are understood toindicate the position, orientation, or location of the breast implantwhen it is in a position where the back sidewall of the breast implantis vertical (as illustrated by FIG. 4 and similar to the position of thebreast implant when properly placed within a breast of a recipient whois in a standing position, such as is illustrated by FIG. 1 ). The frontand back of the implant are understood as respectively correspondingwith the surface of the breast implant that faces towards the front ofthe user when inserted within a breast and the surface of the breastimplant that faces towards the back of the user when inserted within abreast. Accordingly, if the breast implant is rotated this does notchange what may be referred to as, for example, the back of the breastimplant.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a side view of a breast implant illustrating thefour different portions of the shell (and in turn, the four differentportions of the breast implant) is illustrated. FIG. 2 delineates wherethe different portions of the shell 22 begin and end. As illustrated,the interface between the posterior portion 24 of the shell 22 of thebreast implant 52 and the anterior portion 26 of the shell is formed byplane 28. While plane 28 is illustrated as a single line in FIG. 2 , itis understood that the plane extends into and out of the page. Referringto FIG. 3 , a top view of the breast implant of FIG. 2 is illustrated.In this view plane 28 is also illustrated as a single line. It isunderstood that the plane 28 of FIG. 3 is illustrated as a single lineinasmuch as plane 28 extends into and out of the page. As illustrated byFIG. 2 , when the breast implant 52 is oriented with the back sidewallof the implant in a substantially vertical position, plane 28 extendsfrom an apex 30 of the breast implant 52 to a lowest point 32 of thebreast implant where the back of the breast implant no longer slopesdownwards. Similarly, as illustrated by FIG. 3 , when viewed from abovethe plane 28 extends through the outer most points 34 on the twoopposing sides of the breast implant 52. As illustrated, the outer mostpoints 34 are also inflection points inasmuch as the curvature of theslope of the sides of the breast implant 52 change at these points.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , the interface between the cephalic portion 36of the shell 22 the caudal portion 38 of the shell is formed along plane40. While plane 40 is illustrated as a single line in FIG. 2 , it isunderstood that the plane extends into and out of the page, renderingthe plane 40 as a single line. When the breast implant 52 is oriented ina vertical position, as illustrated by FIG. 2 , plane 40 extends fromthe furthest frontward point 42 of the breast implant 52 and isperpendicular to plane 28. The furthest frontward point 42 is also aninflection point where the curvature of the breast implant changes fromsloping to the apex 30 to sloping to the lowest point 32.

Planes 28 and 40 intersect perpendicularly and form four differentportions of the shell 22, the posterior cephalic portion 44, theposterior caudal portion 46, the anterior cephalic portion 48, and theanterior caudal portion 50. The posterior cephalic portion and theposterior caudal portion are part of the posterior portion 24. Theanterior cephalic portion 48 and the anterior caudal portion 50 are partof the anterior portion 26. In addition to planes 28 and 40 dividing theshell into four different portion, planes 28 and 40 also divide thebreast implant 52 into a posterior cephalic portion, a posterior caudalportion, an anterior cephalic portion, and an anterior caudal portion,each of these portions corresponding to the associated respectiveportions of the shell 22. The posterior cephalic portion, the posteriorcaudal portion, the anterior cephalic portion, and the anterior caudalportion of the various implementations of the breast implants and shellsdisclosed herein are understood to correspond to these respectiveportions as defined in relation to FIGS. 2-3 .

Referring to FIGS. 4-7 , various views of the implementation of thebreast implant of FIG. 1 are illustrated. Referring specifically to FIG.4 , a cross sectional side view of the breast implant of FIG. 1 isillustrated. Referring to FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the breastimplant of FIG. 1 with the shell illustrated as transparent isillustrated. Referring to FIG. 6 , a front view of the breast implant ofFIG. 1 is illustrated. Referring to FIG. 7 , a rear view of the breastimplant of FIG. 1 is illustrated.

In various implementations, and as illustrated by FIGS. 1-7 , the breastimplant may include an anatomical shape. As used herein, “anatomicalshape” is understood to mean a shape corresponding to a natural breast,a teardrop shape, a pear shape, and/or the shape of an ovoid. In suchimplementations, the anatomical breast implant may provide a morenatural look when inserted into a breast. In particular implementations,the breast implant may be configured to have the majority of its volumerest below the nipple of the breast when inserted into the breast. Insuch implementations, the breast implant may be configured to have55-60% of the volume of the implant below the nipple of the breast whenthe breast implant is inserted into the breast. In other implementationsthe breast implant may include a round shape (as illustrated by FIGS.12-18 ).

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 4-7 , the breast implant 2 includes ashell 4 that may be made from silicone or any other material used inconstructing breast implants. In various implementations, the shell, andin turn the breast implant, may have a smooth and non-textured exteriorsurface. In other implementations, any of the breast implants disclosedherein may include a shell having a textured outer surface.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-7 , in various implementations thebreast implant 2 includes an anchor 54 directly and fixedly coupled toan interior surface of the shell 4. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” isdefined as the anchor being attached to the shell in a non-moveablemanner with relation to the portion of the shell that the anchor isdirectly coupled to. FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of theanchor. FIG. 4 illustrates both a cross sectional view of the anchor aswell as the inner view of a portion of the anchor directly coupled tothe shell. FIG. 5 illustrates the outer surface of the portion of theanchor fixed to the front of the shell and the inner surface of theportion of the anchor fixed to the back of the shell. The shell of FIG.5 is illustrated as transparent in order to illustrate the position ofthe anchor. FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the anchor and FIG. 7illustrates a back view of the anchor. The portion of the shell coveringthe respective portions of the anchor of FIGS. 6 and 7 is illustrated astransparent in order to show the relative position of the anchor. It isunderstood that the anchor of the breast implant of FIGS. 1 and 4-7 maynot be visible from an external view inasmuch as the anchor would becovered by the shell.

In various implementations the anchor 54 may be a semi-solid or a solidmaterial. In particular implementations the anchor 54 may include amaterial used in other solid implants, such as a calf implant. Invarious implementations the type of material of the anchor 54 may bedifferent from the type of material of the shell 4. In otherimplementations, the type of material of the anchor 54 may be the sameas the type of material of the shell 4. In various implementations theanchor 54 and the shell 4 are two distinct elements fixedly coupledtogether in such a way that a boundary is visible between the anchor andthe shell in a cross-sectional side view of the breast implant. In otherimplementations the anchor and the shell may be made from one continuouspiece of material. In such implementations where the anchor and theshell are made from a single continuous piece of material, there wouldnot be a visible boundary between the anchor and the shell in across-sectional side view of the breast implant. With this said, in suchimplementations the breast implant is still considered as having both ashell and an anchor fixed to the shell, with the shell being the outermost portion of the implant and the anchor being the solid implantportion of the breast implant fixed to the shell and configured toprevent unwanted rotation of the breast implant.

Referring Specifically to FIG. 4 , the anchor 54 is directly and fixedlycoupled to the bottom of the breast implant 2. In variousimplementations, the anchor 54 is directly and fixedly coupled to theposterior caudal portion 12 of the shell 4. In particularimplementations, the anchor may be directly and fixedly coupled to boththe posterior caudal portion 12 of the shell 4 and the anterior caudalportion 16 of the shell 4. In various implementations the anchor 54 maybe directly and fixedly coupled to only a portion of the inner surfaceof the posterior caudal portion 12 of the shell 4, only a portion of theinner surface of the anterior caudal portion 16 of the shell 4, anentirety of the inner surface of the posterior caudal portion 12 of theshell 4 (as illustrated by FIG. 7 ), an entirety of the inner surface ofthe anterior caudal portion 16 of the shell 4 (as illustrated by FIG. 6), or any combination thereof.

In various implementations, and as illustrated by FIG. 4 , the anchormay extend to a furthest most forward point 60 of the breast implant 2.In such implementations, the furthest most forward point 60 may lie onthe interface 66 between the anterior caudal portion 16 and the anteriorcephalic portion 14 of the shell 4. In such implementations, the anchor54 may form a lip 64 at the interface between the anterior caudalportion and the anterior cephalic portion. The lip is formed due to thesolid properties of the anchor in contrast to the flexible properties ofthe shell of the anterior cephalic portion 14.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5 and 7 , in various implementations the anchor 54may extend up a portion of the back sidewall of the shell 4. In variousimplementations the anchor 54 does not extend above a midpoint 68 of theback sidewall. In other implementations, the anchor 54 may extend abovethe back sidewall. In various implementations, the anchor may be fixedlyand directly coupled to the posterior cephalic portion 10 of the shell4. In other implementations the anchor may not be directly coupled tothe posterior cephalic portion 10 of the shell 4.

In various implementations, and as illustrated by FIGS. 4-5 and 7 , theanchor 54 may extend to a top of the inner surface of the shell of thebreast implant. In such implementations, the anchor 54 may extend from abase of the posterior portion to a top of the posterior portion of theshell 4. In particular implementations, and as illustrated by FIGS. 4-5and 7 , the portion of the anchor that extends to the top of the innersurface of the shell of the breast implant may include a narrow strip.

In various implementations, and as illustrated by FIG. 7 , the portionof the anchor directly coupled to the back sidewall of the shell mayform a shape having an upper perimeter having three peaks and twovalleys 72 (similar to the shape of a W). In various implementations,the central peak 74 may extend further upwards than the outer two peaks76. In other implementations, all three peaks may extend upwards to asame height, and in still other implementations, the central peak maynot extend upwards as much as the outer two peaks.

In other implementations, the portion of the anchor directly coupled tothe posterior portion of the shell may form a shape differing from theshape illustrated in FIG. 7 . Referring to FIG. 8 , a rear view of asecond implementation of a breast implant is illustrated. In variousimplementations the portion of the anchor 78 directly coupled to theposterior portion of the shell may be similar to the shape illustratedby FIG. 7 with the difference being that the portion 80 of the anchorthat extends to the top 82 of the posterior portion may taper andgradually reduce in width as the portion extends upwards. Referring toFIG. 9 , a rear view of a third implementation of a breast implant isillustrated. In various implementations the portion of the anchor 84directly coupled to the posterior portion of the shell may be similar tothe shape illustrated by FIG. 8 with the difference being that theportion 84 does not extend all the way to the top of the posteriorportion of the shell. Referring to FIG. 10 , a rear view of a fourthimplementation of a breast implant is illustrated. In variousimplementations the portion of the anchor 86 directly coupled to theposterior portion of the shell may form a cross with a first portion ofthe cross extending from two opposing sides 88 of the posterior portionand a second portion of the cross extending from a top 90 of theposterior portion to the remainder 92 of the anchor (or non-crossportion of the anchor) at the bottom 94 of the posterior portion. Inother implementations, the cross portion, or the portion of the anchordirectly coupled to the posterior portion of the shell, may not extendall the way to the opposing sides 88, all the way to the top 90 of theposterior portion, and/or all the way to the remainder 92 of the anchorat the bottom 94 of the posterior portion. Referring to FIG. 11 , a rearview of a fifth implementation of a breast implant is illustrated. Invarious implementations the upper edge of the portion of the anchor 96directly coupled to the posterior portion of the shell may form asubstantially straight line across the posterior portion of the shell.In particular implementations the upper edge may coincide with theinterface between the posterior caudal portion and the posteriorcephalic portion. As used herein, “interface” refers to the junctionbetween two separate portions. In other implementations, rather than asubstantially straight line the upper edge may form a line having aconcave or convex curve that extends between two opposing sides of theposterior portion of the shell. In still other implementations, theportion of the anchor directly coupled to the posterior portion may formany other shape, design, and/or pattern different from theimplementations illustrated by FIGS. 7-11 .

In various implementations the anchor is not directly coupled to theanterior cephalic portion of the shell. In such implementations, thefluid medium used to fill the breast implant may be in direct contactwith an entire inner surface of the anterior cephalic portion of theshell. In other implementations, the anchor may be directly coupled toportions of the anterior cephalic portion of the shell. In suchimplementations, the thickness of the anchor directly coupled to theanterior cephalic portion of the shell is less than the thickness of theanchor directly coupled to the posterior caudal portion of the shell.

In various implementations, the thickness of the anchor may remainconstant across the entire area of the anchor. In other implementations,and as illustrated by FIG. 4 , the thickness of the anchor of anyimplementation of a breast implant disclosed herein may vary. In variousimplementations, the thickest portion of the anchor may be directlycoupled to the posterior caudal portion of the shell. In particularimplementations, the lowest portion of the shell of the breast implantmay be directly coupled to the thickest portion of the anchor. Invarious implementations, the anchor may reduce in thickness as itextends away from the thickest portion of the anchor directly coupled tothe lowest portion of the shell. More specifically, in variousimplementations the thickness of the anchor may reduce as the anchorextends towards the top of the breast implant 2 along the posteriorportion of the shell. Similarly, the thickness of the anchor may reducein thickness as the anchor extends towards the front of the breastimplant 2 along the anterior caudal portion of the shell. Similarly, thethickness of the anchor may reduce as the anchor extends towards theouter side edges 98 of the anchor, as illustrated by FIG. 5 .

In various implementations, the thickness of any anchor disclosed hereinmay include any thickness or any number of thicknesses, ranging between2-10 mm. In other implementations, the thickness of the anchor of thebreast implant may include a thickness less than 2 mm or more than 10mm. In particular implementations, the thickness of the anchor may rangebetween 2-4 mm. In various implementations, the exact dimensions and/orthe thickness of the anchor may be optimized and customized based uponthe anatomy and needs of the recipient of the breast implant.

In various implementations, and as illustrated by FIGS. 4-5 , the anchor54 may include a recess 100 formed therein. In such implementations, thebreast implant may be considered a hybrid breast implant (both solidimplant and fluid filled implant) inasmuch as the breast implantincludes a solid implant having a lumen inasmuch as the anchor is madefrom a solid or semi-solid material and has a lumen, or recess 100,formed therein.

The shell 4 of the breast implant 2 is filled with a fluid medium.“Fluid medium” and “fluid,” as used herein, may include a silicone-gel,saline, or any other fluid or semi-fluid material used to fill a breastimplant. In implementations where the anchor includes a recess, thefluid medium fills the recess of the anchor.

The implementations of the breast implants disclosed herein having ananchor result in a breast implant with varying weight distribution. Insuch implementations, the breast implant may be heavier towards theanterior caudal and/or posterior caudal portions of the breast implantdue to the anchor being directly coupled to these portions of the shell.In turn, the breast implant may naturally settle in these areas whichmay correspond to the lower portion of the breast curve of a breastand/or towards the chest wall of the user. In turn, the anchor mayprevent unwanted rotation of the breast implant within a breast due tothe heavier portions of the breast implant naturally settling in thecorresponding lower portions of the breast. This varied weightdistribution prevents the lighter upper end of the implant from rotatingto the bottom of the breast. The varied weight distribution preventsrotation of the breast implant along an axis of rotation substantiallyperpendicular to the chest wall of the user (or rotation where theposterior portion of the implant still faces the chest wall of the userbut the upper portion of the breast implant rotates down to the bottomof the breast) as well as rotation of the breast implant along an axisof rotation substantially parallel to the chest wall of the user.“Flipping,” as used herein, may refer to rotation of the breast implantalong an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the chest wall(where the posterior portion of the breast implant is flipped to facethe front of the breast and the anterior portion of the implant facesthe chest wall of the user). In addition to the varied weightdistribution preventing unwanted flipping or rotation, inimplementations of breast implants disclosed herein having the anchordirectly and fixedly coupled to the posterior portion of the shell, theanchor may prevent flipping of the implant inasmuch as the anchorprovides a level of rigidity to the posterior portion of the breastimplant. In turn, the breast implant will not be able to flip due to thestiffness of the anchor interfering with the chest wall of the user. Theanchor prevents the breast implant from rolling over on itself orfolding which prevents flipping of the implant. This is contrary toimplementations not having an anchor where the implant may be capable ofrolling over on itself and flipping.

Implementations of the breast implant disclosed herein may preventunwanted rotation of the breast implant within a breast while stillbeing able to have a smooth or non-textured outer surface of the shellof the breast implant. Because of this, implementations of the breastimplant disclosed herein may insure a proper position and orientation ofthe breast implant while also decreasing the risk of cancer (such asAnaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) caused by textured surfaces interferingwith the capsule surrounding the breast implant.

The implementations of breast implants including an anchor disclosedherein may also reduce the feeling of rippling and/or bucklingexperienced by many breast implant recipients. In variousimplementations, the lowest portion of a breast may become the mostthinned out or stretched portion of the breast due to the lowest portionof the breast carrying the majority of the weight of the breast implant.Due to this, the lowest portion of the breast may be most susceptible tothe ability to feel flaws or edges of the breast implant, including anyrippling or buckling of the breast implant. In implementations havingthe anchor, the increased support from the anchor at the bottom portionof the breast implant corresponding to the lowest portions of the breastmay add structural integrity to the bottom portion of the breastimplant, thereby minimizing and/or eliminating any rippling and/orbuckling of the breast implant.

While various implementations disclosed herein discuss breast implantshaving an anatomical shape, implementations of round implants may alsoinclude a shell similar to the shell of the anatomical implant with thedifference being that the round implant includes a round shape asillustrated by FIGS. 12-18 , rather than an anatomical or tear-dropshape. Implementations of round implants may also include a fluid mediumand an anchor, either of which may be respectively the same as orsimilar to any fluid medium or anchor disclosed herein. In particularimplementations, the anchor within a round implant may include the samematerial and/or relative thicknesses as any anchor disclosed herein, butmay include a shape unique to a round implant. Referring to FIG. 12 , aperspective view of a round breast implant is illustrated. FIG. 12 isillustrated with the shell 102 of the breast implant 104 illustrated astransparent in order to show the position of the anchor 106 coupled tothe inner surface of the shell. Referring to FIG. 13 , a cross sectionalside view of the breast implant of FIG. 12 is illustrated. Referring toFIG. 14 , a rear view of the implant of FIG. 12 is illustrated. FIG. 14illustrates the shell as transparent in order to show the shape of theportion of the anchor directly coupled to posterior portion of the shell102 of the breast implant 104.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the shell 102 includes a posterior portion 110and an anterior portion 112 divided by an interface formed along plane108. While plane 108 is illustrated as a single line, plane 108 extendsinto and out of the page of FIG. 13 . With respect to the round implant,the interface between the posterior portion and the anterior portion maybe defined by where the shell of the implant begins to slopes towardsthe most forward point 114 of the breast implant. The shell 102 alsoincludes a cephalic portion 136 and a caudal portion 138 separated by aninterface formed along plane 140. While plane 140 is illustrated as asingle line, plane 140 extends into and out of the page of FIG. 13 . Inturn, the shell 102 includes a posterior cephalic portion 142, aposterior caudal portion 144, an anterior cephalic portion 146, and ananterior caudal portion 148. The plane 140 may extend through the mostforward point 114 of the breast implant (or the frontward most apex ofthe implant) and may be perpendicular to plane 108.

In various implementations the type of material of the anchor 106 may bedifferent from the type of material of the shell 102. In otherimplementations, the type of material of the anchor 106 may be the sameas the type of material of the shell 102. In various implementations theanchor 106 and the shell 102 are two distinct elements fixedly coupledtogether in such a way that a boundary is visible between the anchor andthe shell in a cross-sectional side view of the breast implant. In otherimplementations the anchor and the shell may be made from one continuouspiece of material. In such implementations where the anchor and theshell are made from a single continuous piece of material, there wouldnot be a visible boundary between the anchor and the shell in across-sectional side view of the breast implant. With this said, in suchimplementations the breast implant is still considered as having both ashell and an anchor fixed to the shell, with the shell being the outermost portion of the implant and the anchor being the solid implantportion of the breast implant fixed to the shell and configured toprevent unwanted flipping of the breast implant.

In various implementations, the anchor 106 may be directly and fixedlycoupled to the posterior portion of the shell of the breast implant. Inparticular implementations the anchor may extend to an upper mostportion of the shell and a lower most portion of the shell. In suchimplementations, the anchor may prevent unwanted flipping inasmuch asthe anchor provides rigidity to the posterior portion of the shell andwill prevent the posterior portion of the shell from folding or rollingover on itself. In turn, if the breast implant were to start to flip thechest wall of the user would interfere with the anchor attempting toflip and would prevent the breast implant from flipping.

In particular implementations the anchor is not directly coupled to theanterior portion of the shell 102. In other implementations, the anchor106 may be directly coupled to a portion of the anterior portion of theshell directly adjacent to the interface between the posterior portionand the anterior portion. In various implementations, the majority ofthe inner surface of the anterior portion of the shell is still indirect contact with a fluid medium within the implant. In otherimplementations, the anchor may extend further towards the most forwardpoint 114 or not as close to the most forward point than what isillustrated by FIGS. 12 and 13 . The particular location of the anchordirectly and fixedly coupled to the anterior portion of the shell may bevaried based upon the anatomy and needs of a particular individualreceiving the breast implant.

In various implementations the breast implant may be symmetrical. Insuch implementations, the portion of the anchor directly coupled to thecephalic portion of the shell may be the same as the portion of theanchor directly coupled to the caudal portion of the shell. In suchimplementations, the round implant may be configured to rotate along anaxis perpendicular to the chest wall of the recipient without having thebreast implant appear or feel as though it were upside down inasmuch asthe portions of the anchor closest to the top of the breast and thebottom of the breast will be the same regardless of how the breastimplant may be rotating along an axis perpendicular to the chest wall ofthe recipient.

In implementations where the anchor is coupled to the anterior portionand the posterior portion, the anchor may include a recess formedtherein. In such implementations, the recess may be filled with a fluidmedium. In such implementations, the breast implant may be considered ahybrid breast implant (both solid implant and fluid filled implant)inasmuch as the breast implant includes a solid implant having a lumeninasmuch as the anchor is made from a solid or semi-solid material andhas a lumen, or recess, formed therein.

Still referring to FIG. 13 , an implementation of a thickness of theanchor is illustrated. In various implementations, the thickness of theanchor may taper towards the edges of the anchor. In otherimplementations the thickness of the anchor may vary from what isillustrated by FIG. 13 .

In particular implementations the anchor may be directly coupled to anentire interface on the inner surface of the shell between the posteriorportion and the anterior portion. In such implementations, the anchorforms a perimeter around the shell (and also around the posteriorportion of the shell). While this is illustrated in conjunction with theround implant of FIGS. 12-14 , it is understood that the anatomicallyshaped implants disclosed herein may also include an anchor that extendsaround the perimeter of the posterior portion of the shell. Inimplementations of a round implant including an anchor formed around theperimeter of the shell, even if the implant rotates about an axisperpendicular to the chest wall of the user, the anchor always extendsfrom the portion of the implant closest to the top of the breast to theportion of the implant closest to the bottom of the breast. In turn, theanchor prevents unwanted flipping of the implant inasmuch as therigidity of the anchor prevents the implant from folding or rolling overon itself even if the round breast implant rotates along an axisperpendicular to the chest wall of the user.

In various implementations, and as illustrated by FIGS. 12 and 14 , theanchor 106 may form a cross directly coupled to the posterior portion ofthe shell. In other implementations, the portion of the anchor directlycoupled to the posterior portion of the shell may form a differentshape. Referring to FIG. 15 , a rear view of a second implementation ofa round implant is illustrated. In various implementations, the portionof the anchor 116 directly coupled to the posterior portion may besimilar to the anchor of FIG. 14 , with the difference being that thecorners formed by the cross may be more rounded. Referring to FIG. 16 ,a rear view of a third implementation of a round implant is illustrated.In various implementations the portion of the anchor 118 directlycoupled to the posterior portion may include an outer ring 124 and aninner portion 120 separated from the outer ring by a gap 122. Referringto FIG. 17 , a rear view of a fourth implementation of a round implantis illustrated. In various implementations, the portion of the anchor126 directly coupled to the posterior portion of the shell may includean anchor similar to the anchor of FIG. 16 , with the difference beingthat the anchor includes four separate bridges 128 connecting the outerring 130 to the inner portion 132. Referring to FIG. 18 , a rear view ofa fifth implementation of a round implant is illustrated. In variousimplementations, the implant may include an anchor 134 directly andfixedly coupled to the entirety of the inner surface of the posteriorportion of the shell. Any of the implants illustrated by FIGS. 15-18 mayinclude an anchor that extends towards the anterior portion of the shellas illustrated by FIG. 13 . In other implementations, anchors havingother shapes that the shapes disclosed herein may be directly coupled tothe shell of a round breast implant. The shells of FIGS. 15-18 are allillustrated as transparent in order to illustrate the respectiveanchors.

In various implementations, the anchors disclosed herein with roundimplants may prevent flipping of the implant by having the anchordirectly and fixedly coupled to the posterior portion of the shell. Insuch implementations, the anchor may prevent flipping of the implantinasmuch as the anchor provides a level of rigidity to the posteriorportion of the breast implant. In turn, the breast implant will not beable to flip due to the stiffness of the anchor preventing the anchorfrom folding or rolling over on itself. In turn, if the implant tries toflip, the anchor, which extends along the posterior portion, is blockedfrom flipping by the chest wall of the user. This is contrary toimplementations not having an anchor where the implant may be capable ofrolling over on itself and flipping.

Implementations of the round breast implants disclosed herein mayprevent unwanted flipping of the breast implant within a breast whilestill being able to have a smooth or non-textured outer surface of theshell of the breast implant. Because of this, implementations of thebreast implant disclosed herein may insure a proper position andorientation of the breast implant while also decreasing the risk ofcancer (such as Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) caused by texturedsurfaces interfering with the capsule surrounding the breast implant.

Implementations of the round implants disclosed herein may preventrippling and/or buckling of the breast implant at portions of the breastimplant directly coupled to the anchor. In various implementations wherethe anchor is directly coupled to the anterior portion of the shell, theanchor may also provide a desired shape and curve to a breast inasmuchas the anchor is capable of maintaining a shape or curve better thanjust the shell filled by the fluid medium.

In various implementations, a method of forming any of the breastimplants disclosed herein may include scanning an intended recipient ofthe breast implants in order to determine the proper shape and size ofthe anchor to be formed within the breast implant. The breast implantmay then be formed with customized dimensions in order to give thebreast the most natural look and feel while also eliminating unwantedrotation, flipping, rippling, and/or buckling of the breast implant.

In places where the description above refers to particularimplementations of breast implants and implementing components,sub-components, methods and sub-methods, it should be readily apparentthat a number of modifications may be made without departing from thespirit thereof and that these implementations, implementing components,sub-components, methods and sub-methods may be applied to other breastimplants.

What is claimed is:
 1. A breast implant comprising: a shell comprising acephalic portion and a caudal portion; and an anchor coupled within theshell and coupled directly and fixedly to the caudal portion; whereinthe anchor is configured to prevent rotation of the breast implant; andwherein an outer surface of the shell is non-textured.
 2. The breastimplant of claim 1, wherein the breast implant comprises an anatomicalshape.
 3. The breast implant of claim 1, wherein the anchor and theshell are separately formed from different materials.
 4. The breastimplant of claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises a recess configured tobe filled by a fluid within the breast implant.
 5. The breast implant ofclaim 1, wherein the anchor is directly and fixedly coupled to a portionof the cephalic portion.
 6. The breast implant of claim 1, wherein anentirety of an inner surface of the caudal portion is directly andfixedly coupled to the anchor.
 7. The breast implant of claim 1, whereinthe anchor and the shell are continuously formed from a same material.8. A breast implant comprising: a shell comprising a cephalic portionand a caudal portion; and an anchor coupled within the shell and coupleddirectly and fixedly to the caudal portion; wherein the anchor isconfigured to prevent rotation of the breast implant; wherein the anchorforms a lip at an interface between the caudal portion and the cephalicportion; and wherein an outer surface of the shell is non-textured. 9.The breast implant of claim 8, wherein the breast implant comprises ananatomical shape.
 10. The breast implant of claim 8, wherein the anchorcomprises a recess configured to be filled by a fluid within the breastimplant.
 11. The breast implant of claim 8, wherein the anchor isdirectly and fixedly coupled to a portion of the cephalic portion. 12.The breast implant of claim 8, wherein an entirety of an inner surfaceof the caudal portion is directly and fixedly coupled to the anchor. 13.The breast implant of claim 8, wherein the anchor and the shell arecontinuously formed from a same material.
 14. The breast implant ofclaim 8, wherein the anchor and the shell are separately formed fromdifferent materials.
 15. A breast implant comprising: a shell comprisinga posterior portion and an anterior portion; and an anchor coupledwithin the shell and coupled directly and fixedly to an entire interfaceon an inner surface of the shell between the posterior portion and theanterior portion; wherein the anchor tapers towards an apex of thebreast implant; wherein the anchor is configured to prevent flipping ofthe breast implant; wherein the anchor is configured to prevent ripplingof the breast implant; wherein the breast implant comprises a roundimplant; and wherein an outer surface of the shell is non-textured. 16.The breast implant of claim 15, wherein a majority of the anchor isdirectly and fixedly coupled to the posterior portion as compared to aportion of the anchor directly and fixedly coupled to the anteriorportion.
 17. The breast implant of claim 15, wherein the anchor and theshell are separately formed from different materials.
 18. The breastimplant of claim 15, wherein the anchor comprises a recess configured tobe filled by a fluid within the breast implant.
 19. The breast implantof claim 15, wherein the anchor and the shell are continuously formedfrom a same material.
 20. The breast implant of claim 15, wherein theanchor is directly and fixedly coupled around an entire perimeter of aposterior portion of the shell.